The early churches of Constantinople : architecture and liturgy

The first comprehensive attempt to reconstruct from archaeological, liturgical, and historical sources the ceremonial use of Early Byzantine architecture. The archaeological remains of a dozen pre-Iconoclastic churches in Constantinople are examined, and the characteristic patterns of planning revealed are interpreted in the light of the Early Byzantine liturgy. A new approach to Byzantine architecture, which is studied here in the critical first phase of its development. Cover Contents Introduction I. The monuments 1. The early basilicas The Old Hagia Sophia Hag. Ioannes Studios Theotokos in Chalkoprateia The Topkapi Sarayı Basilica 2. The Justinianic period: the smaller foundations Hag. Sergios and Bacchos; Hag. Petros and Paulos Hag. Polyeuktos Hag. Iōannēs Prodromos in Hebdomon Hag. Euphēmia Beyazit Basilica A 3. The greater foundations of Justinian Hag. Eirēnē Hagia Sophia II. Planning and liturgy 4. The problem of liturgical planning in Constantinople Characteristics of the Constantinopolitan plan Reconstructing the early Byzantine liturgy 5. The divisions of the church The use of nave and aisles Places for catechumens and penitents Places for women and the imperial court 6. The liturgy of the catechumens The first entrance Readings and preaching 7. The liturgy of the faithful The entrance of the mysteries The concealment of the mysteries Communion and exit Conclusion Bibliography Index Plates "This book represents the first comprehensive attempt to reconstruct from archaeological, liturgical, and historical sources the ceremonial use of Early Byzantine architecture"--Jacket